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Harrogate MP aims to secure funding for school rebuilds and maintenance

Thursday, 30 January 2025 07:03

Tom Gordon MP speaking in the House of Commons.

Harrogate MP Tom Gordon has asked a Minister in the Department for Education to meet with him regarding funding for school rebuilds and maintenance.

Since his election, Tom has steadily been meeting with all the schools in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

One issue they have repeatedly brought up is around funding for regular maintenance or other capital projects at the schools, to make sure the buildings remain fit for purpose.

The amount of money available to schools for capital projects, including maintenance, is currently "very low," and a number of schools in Harrogate and Knaresborough have voiced their concerns.

On Monday, Mr Gordon brought this to the House of Commons.

Tom said:

“I’m very pleased to have secured this meeting. This is an issue repeatedly brought to me by local schools. Educating the younger generations is so vital, both for them and for the country. But they can’t do that effectively if the buildings aren’t up to scratch.

“We need to recognise that not all school buildings are the same. Whilst some are blessed with new buildings, many others struggle to maintain older buildings for which the funds aren’t available. It’s so vital we get them the help they need.

“I look forward to meeting with the Minister, raising the local schools’ concerns, and hopefully moving forward with securing funding to make sure that all our children are learning in suitable environments fit for the future.”

There are also concerns about how money to schools is allocated.

At present, all schools receive the same amount of money, despite the wide variety of buildings in use, from buildings hundreds of years old to ultra-modern recently-built schools.

This presents challenges for those with older buildings that require more maintenance.

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